Mail-catcher



(No Model.)

H. A. STEVENS i MAIL GATGHBR.- No. 468,607. Patented Feb. 9, 1892.

me wams versus no., maxaman., wnsnmnwn, u. c.

UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE;

IIENRXT A. STEVENS, OF N ORRISTOVN ASSIGNOR OF GNEIIALF TO J. I ALTER DOUGLASS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

-MAlL-CATCH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 468,607, dated February 9, 1892. Application tiled September 14, 1891. Serial No. 405,609. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norristown, in the county of Montgomery and State ot' Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Catchers, of which the following is a specification.

The principal objects of mypresent invention are, first, to provide a simple, yet strong 1o and durable, inail-catcher that will operate accurately not only under favorable conditions of weather, but also when exposed to gaies or heavy windstorms; second, to providea mail-catcher with means for positively I5 locking the inail-receptacle in position until a passing train automatically releases the locking devices and permits the mail-receptaele to be taken up by the moving train; third, to provide means for guiding the mailzo receptacle after its release into a scoop connected with the moving train, and, fourth, to provide means for facilitating the operation of taking a mail-receptacle from a moving train.

In my invention use is made of a Vertical post or pillar located adjacent to the railwaytrack and provided with a cross-arm having a locking device attached thereto and guides depending t-herefrom, in connection with a 3o mail-car provided with a key adapted to release said locking device and with a scoop adapted to project beneath the cross-arm. The mail-matter, either loose or contained in bags or pouches, is placed in a strong steel 3 5 Wire or other basket placed in guides depending from the cross-arm and then secured to place by means of the locking device. The mail-car in passing the vertical post automatically releases the mail-basket by causing 4o the key to contact with and release the lock` ing device and also presents the scoop for the reception of the mail-basket, andthe depending guides direct the mailfbasket and insure its delivery into the scoop.

My invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

The nature and objects of my present invention will be more fully understood from 5o the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, and in whichan v Figure l is a perspective View of a mailcatcher embodying features of my invention and showing a vertical post provided with a cross-arm ha ving a locking device and a receiving-rod connected therewith and. having guides depending therefrom, and also showing a mail-car provided with a key, a scoop, and a platform. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the 6o locking device illustrated in Fig. l, and showing a modified form ofthe key for operating the same; and Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the crossarm.

In the drawings, a is a vertical postor pillar provided with a bracket a', a bridge-pieee a?, a staple as, and a pin a4.

l) is a cross-arm pivotally supported in the bracket a by means of a vertical axis b in such manner that the cross-arm b may be ro- 7o tated in a horizontal plane, and contacts with the bracket a when it is disposed transversely of the direction of motion of the train, as shown in Fig. l.

b2 is a yoke pivotally connected with trun- 75 nions h3, ranging transversely ot' the' crossarm b and adapted to engage with the staple a3 and bridge-piece a2.

b4: and b5 are guides depending from the cross-arm Z) and provided, respectively, upon 8o their interior faces with Ways b, adapted for the reception of feathers c, attached to the sides of the respective mail-baskets C.

217 is a slot cut or otherwise formed in the arm b and adapted for the reception of an eye c', connected with the bail c2 of each of the inail-baskets.

d is an operating-lever pivotally connected with the guide b5 and provided atits respective extremities with arms CZ' and (Z2, disposed 9o at righi angles to each other.

c is a draw or shot bolt pivotally connected with the arm d2 and adapted to engage with the portion of the eye c of the mail-basket that Z)projects through the slot o7 above the 95 arm f, Fig. l, is a key projecting from the top of the car and adapted to engage with the arm d of the operating-lever d. This key may be rigidly secu-red to the top of the car, roo

as shown in Fig. 1, or it maybe located within the car, as shown in Fig. 2, and allowed a range of end-play in suitable bearings f2 and provided with a hook-shaped shank f3, adapted to engage with apertures f4, so that the attendant in the car may shift the key toward the left and turn it out of or into operative position and then shift it toward the right and lock it to place.

rlhe mail-baskets C may be constructed of steel wire or other suitable substance or ma terial and are adapted for the reception of mail-matter, either loose or contained in bags or pouches.

g is a scoop adapted to project from the side of the mail-car beneath the cross-arm b. This scoop g may be constructed of stiff canvas, leather, wire-netting, orother preferred material, and is preferably connected with a folding frame, so that it will not occupy an undue amou-nt of space in themail-car. In the present instance `this folding frame comprises two arms g and g?, journaled upon a spindle g3 and provided with stops g4 for preventing the scoop from being accidentally closed in an upward position.

g5 are brackets connected with the Vjambs of the car-door and adapted to support the scoopin operative position.

h is a window or small doorway formed in the side of the mail-car.

h2 is a shutter pivotally attached to the front jamb of the window h and provided with a platform h and a guard h3 for supporting a mail-basket, which latter is also retained in position by the hand and arm of the mail-clerk.

h4 is ahook or catch for retaining the shutter Win open position.

isa receiving-rod connected with the crossarm b and adapted to pass under the b ail c2 of the mail-basket, and thus lift the same off the moving train. This receiving-arm t' is preferably provided with a curved shank, as at i2, in order to gradually check the motion or momentum of the mail-basket C and in order to permit of its convenient adjustment.

bs, Fig. 2, is a roof or housing connected with the cross-arm b and adapted to protect the locking device from exposure to the weather.

The mode of operation of the hereinabovedescribed apparatus is as follows: The attendant in charge of the station turns the cross-arm b by means of the yoke b2 about the axis b until it occupies a position above a suitable platform, which is not shown in the drawings, but which is located adjacent to the tracks, and then places the mail-basket C, in-position with the feathers c, in engagement with the grooves b of the guides b4 and b5. The mail-basket .C is then secured or locked to place by passing the eye c of the bail c2 through the slot 57 of the cross-bar b and inserting the draw or shot bolt e through the'portion of the eye that projects above the slot b?. The cross-arm b is then turned by means of the yoke b2 into contact with the vertical arm a5l of the bracket a', and ist-hns brought into a position at right angles with the direction of motion of the train. The cross-arm b is locked in such position by passing the lower extremity of the yoke b2 over the staple a3 and then inserting the pin a4 through the staple, it being understood that the upper portion of the yoke b2 bears against the bridge-piece a2 and thus braces the whole structure and renders it very firm and stable. Moreover, the guides b4 and h5 and feathers c prevent oscillations of the mail-basket due to wind-storms or other causes, and the draw'or shot bolt e prevents the mail-basket from being accidentally released or detached from the cross-arm h. On approaching the station the vmail-clerk in charge of the mail-car unfoldsthe scoop g and places it in the doorwayof the mailcar in engagement with the brackets g5, and also shifts thekey f, Fig. 2, into operative position. Of course when a rigid key, as shown in Fig. l, is employed this last operation is dispensed with. lf it is desi-red to leave a mail-basket from'the postal-car, as well as to take one on the same, themail-clerk locks the shutter h2 in open position by means ot' the catch h4 and .places the mail-basket Cito be deposited at the station vupon avplatform h behind the guard h3 and with the bail c2 thereof ranging transversely of the direction of motion of the train. -Theshutter h2 of course shields the mail-basket from the wind caused by the motion of the train and the kguard h3 supports it from falling outward;

but in most instances the clerk will support the basket in the rear thereof with his hand and arm .in the manner shown in Fig. l. However, a spring may, if preferred, be einployed to support the basket upon the rear thereof. When the mail-car passes the station, the key f contacts with the arm d of the operating-lever d and rotates it in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. Land this motion of the operating-lever causes the arm cl2 to withdraw the draw or shot bolt c `from the eye c and thus releases the basket O, whereupon the latter falls by gravity or is propelled by a spring downward through the guides b4 and b5 into the scoop g, with which it is subsequently taken into the mail-car. The receiving-rod i passes under the bail c2 of the basket on the platform h', and the advancing motion of the train causes the basket to be lifted from the platform h and left suspended upon the receiving-rod t', from which it may be subsequently removed by the station-master. After the train has passed the station the scoop g is drawn into the car, folded up, and put away, and the shutter h2 is closed. If a movable key, as shown in Fig. 2, is employed, it is also turned into inoperative position, and thus all the parts of the mail-catcher that are connected with the car may, when not in use, be put away and coneea-led.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art IOO to which myinvention appertains that modifications may be made in the details thereof. For example, the shutter h2 and receiving-rod t' may be omitted Without departing from the spirit of the invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement of the parts of said mail-catching apparatus hereinabove explained; but

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a mail-catcher, a bolt for engaging a mail-receptacle, mechanism for shifting said bolt, and a key connected with a car and adapted to operate said boltshifting mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a mail-catcher, a bolt for engaging a mail-receptacle, guides engaging said receptacle, mechanism for shifting said bolt, and means connected with a car for operating said bolt-shifting mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a mail-catcher, a cross-arm connected with a post or pillar, a mail-receptacle, means for locking and unlocking said receptacle to and from said arm, and guides depending from said arm for steadying and delivering the mail-receptacle, substantially as and for,

the purposes set forth.

4. In a mail-catcher, a crossarm, a mail-receptacle provided with an eye, a shotfbolt for engaging said eye and lookin g said receptacle to said support, mechanism for releasing said shot-bolt, and means connected with a car for operating said bolt-releasing mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a mail-catcher, a cross-arm, guides depending from said arm, a mail-receptacle adapted to slide in said guides, mechanism for locking said receptacle to place in said guides, and means connected With the car for unlocking said mechanism and releasing said receptacle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

G. In a mail-catcher, a cross-arm, guides depending fromsaid arm and provided with Ways, a mail-receptacle provided With feathers Working in said Ways, mechanism for locking said receptacle to place in said guides, and means connected with the car for unlocking said mechanism and releasing said receptacle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a mail-catcher, a pillar or post, a crossarm connected with said post and adapted for revolution in a horizontal plane, a yoke connected with said arm, and means for connecting said yoke and support, substantiallyV as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a mail-catcher, a pillar or post, a crossarm pivotally connected with said post and adapted for revolution in a horizontal plane,

and a stop attached to said post for limiting the range of motion of said arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. In a mail-catcher, a pillar or post, a crossarm pivotally connected with said post, a yoke connected with said arm, a bridge-piece connected with said post and adapted to engage said yoke, and means for connecting said yoke and post, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

lO. In a mail-catcher, locking mechanism for supporting a mail-receptacle, and a rotatable key connected With a car and adapted to unlock said mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

ll. In a mailcatcher, apivotally-supported operating-lever provided with arms, a shotbolt pivotally connected with one of said arms, and a key connected With a car and adapted to contact with the other of said arms, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

l2. In a mail-catcher, a post provided with locking mechanism for supporting a mail-receptacle, a key pivotally connected with a car and permitted arange of end-play, and a hookshapedshank connected with said key and adapted to engage in a retaining-aperture, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a mail-catcher, the combination of a post, a mail-receptacle, mechanism for locking said receptacle to said post, a car, means connected with said car for releasing said locking mechanism, and a scoop projecting from said car for receiving said mail-receptacle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. In a mail-catcher, the combination of a post, a mail-receptacle, mechanism for locking said receptacle to said post, a car, means connected with said car for releasing said locking mechanism, a scoop projecting from said car for receiving said mail-receptacle, and guides connected With said post for directing said receptacle to said scoop, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

l5. In a mail-catcher, the combination of a mailreceptacle provided with a bail, a car provided With a door having means for detachably supporting said receptacle upon the rear face thereof, and a post provided with a receiving-rod for engaging said bail and detaching the mail-receptacle from the rear face of the door, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

HENRY A. STEVENS.

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